On a Fine day in Galway, Sligo Under 18s kept their unbeaten record going strong and clamed a very famous victory over closest league rivals Galwegians. This was the hardest Sligo have had to work for a victory all season having to twice come from behind to win this game 16-15 proves just how much Sligo want to win this league. Most of the players on this team had never beaten Galwegians at any age level before this year and by beating them twice home and away Sligo have put themselves in a great position to go on and win this league.

Galwegians started the game at a blistering pace knowing that a loss to Sligo would effectively eliminate them as league contenders and they got off to the perfect start scoring a converted try out wide. Sligo eventually weathered the Galwegians onslaught and started to dictate play themselves. In the 25th minute Sligo scored a finely worked try through Stephen Hargadon from a scrum 10m’s out Tadgh Power passed to Scrumhalf Stephen Buter who drew his man to put Hargadon in for his first try ever for Sligo. Just before half time Galwegians scored again after Sligo failed to deal with a cross field Kick it was unconverted to leave Wegians in front 12-5 at the break.

After the break Sligo really came out really fired up and really took the game to Wegians. Sligo forwards Started to dominate the game and gave their backs the platform they needed to perform. After a great break from powerhouse captain Thomas Gormley Sligo recycled the ball to Kenneally who Passed To the teams top scorer in Nairn who showed great pace and power to beat 3 players on the way to scoring the Crucial Try. At this stage all the momentum was with Sligo who played their way down in to the Galwegians 22 and through peter Walpole They earned themselves a penalty which Kenneally confidently converted to put Sligo in the lead for the First time all game. 12-13.

However the game wasn’t over yet as 2 missed tackles allowed the Galwegians Number 10 Max Stutterington who was by far Wegians best player of the day the chance to break some last ditch tacking by Sligo held him short of the line however Sligo infringed and gave away a penalty which Stuterington Laced over to make it 15-13 with 5 minutes left.

Sligo Under 18 coaches Gavin Foley and Ross O Boyle both agreed that Sligo’s best trait this season has been their heart and never say die attitude. The Sligo boys simply refused to lose this one and with one minute left forced their way downfield again and won a penalty which Kenneally coolly converted to give the Sligo boys another crucial victory along their League Campaign.

Sligo: McMullen, Henderson, Gleeson, Nairn, Hargadon, Kenneally, Butler, Galea, Adams, Gormley (C), McMorrow, Walpole, O ‘Donnell, Mullaney, Power.
Subs: Scanlon for Galea, Laffey for Henderson, Lynch, Perry

Best Of Luck

The Sligo under 18 team would like to wish the best of luck to the Sligo Grammar School Senior Team who plays the Jes this Thursday in the League Cup Final.